Definite and Indefinite Articles

An article is a word that always goes before a noun. The difference between definite and indefinite articles is the difference between talking about a specific item or any item.
  • the bike (specific)
  • a bike (general)

In Spanish, the definite article has and indefinite articles each have 4 forms based on whether the noun is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural.
  • Articles are words in Spanish that can tell you whether noun is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural. In English, articles are the, a, and an.
  • The difference between definite and indefinite articles is the difference between talking about a specific item or any item.


  • The Spanish articles must agree with the gender and number of the noun that follows it.

Definite Articles

In English, the definite article is 'the'

SINGULAR
PLURAL
MASCULINE
el
los
FEMININE
la
las

Examples:

The cat is fat
  • El gato es gordo (Gato is masculine because it ends in an O. The article for a masculine singular noun is el)
The table is here
  • La mesa está aqui (Mesa is feminine because it ends in an A. The article for a feminine singular noun is la)
The cats are fat
  • Los gatos están gordos ('Gatos' is still masculine, but you add an S to make in plural. Use los for masculine plural nouns)
The tables are here
  • Las mesas están aqui ('Mesas' is still feminine, but you add an S to make it plural. Usa las for feminine plural nouns)

Practice:
El/La Quiz
El/La and Los/Las Quiz

Indefinite Articles

In English, the indefinite articles are a/an and some
Indefinite articles in spanish also have 4 forms.

SINGULAR
PLURAL
MASCULINE
un
unos
FEMININE
una
unas
The indefinite articles also need to agree in gender and number with the nouns.

Examples:

I see a man
  • Yo veo un hombre (Hombre is masculine because it ends in E. Use un for masculine singular nouns.)
I need a cup
  • Yo necesito una taza. (Taza is feminine because it ends in A. Use una for feminine singular nouns)
I have some newspapers
  • Yo tengo unos periodicos. ('Periodicos' is masculine, but you add an S to make it plural. Use unos for masculine plural nouns.)
She wants some boots
  • Ella quiere unas botas. ('Botas; is feminine, but you add an S to make it plural. Use unas for feminine plural nouns)

The Neuter Article

There is also a neuter article "Lo" that is used as follows:
  • Lo interesante de eso es que... The interesting thing about it is that...
  • Tomamos lo aburrido y lo convertimos en algo interesante. We take what is boring and make it interesting.
  • Lo fácil de esto...The easy part...

Practice:
Un/Una Practice
Un/Una and Unos/Unas Practice

Extras:




More practice and Examples :


Definite and Indefinite Articles
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  • While there is (a / an / some) in English as indefinite articles, there is also have un, una, unos, unas in Spanish. In general, whenever un or una are used in Spanish, you need to use "a" or "an" to say the equivalent in English.

Examples:
- Quiero una hamburgesa.
- Ellos tienen unos platonos.

  • Practice
1. Tengo (un, una) libro.
2. Vas a (la, las) clase.
3. Haz (el, la) tarea.
4. Vivimos en (unas, una) casa.
5. Vosotros miráis (la, un) hombre.
6. Ellos juegan con (los, las) muñecos.
7. Necesito ir (al, a la) gimnasio.
8. ¿Quieres trabajar (los, las) lunes?
9. Ella llora porque ella no tiene (un, una) dinosaurio.
10. Nosotras corremos por (unos, la) fiesta.


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Answers: 1. un, 2. la, 3. la, 4. una, 5. un, 6. los, 7. al, 8. los, 9. un, 10. la